418 OF STRAW, ITS VALUE, AND USES. 



Hill), remarked to him, that no system could be adopted, 

 more calculated for the impoverishment of a farm, than 

 that of applying the straw, as the food of dairy cows, in- 

 stead of treading it into dung. Nothing can be more op- 

 posite to this, than the system of Mr Middleton, who 

 states, that the more the straw is bruised, the better for 

 the farmer's stock ; and probably if the whole were cut in- 

 to chaff, it might, by a mixture with roots, be all eaten by 

 cattle* 



On the subject of better food, Mr Bailey of Chillingham 

 remarks, that probably turnips, or oil-cake, must be meant. 

 In regard to the former, a number of farms produce no 

 turnips ; how then is this better food to be obtained ? and 

 how is the straw to be converted into manure, unless given 

 to young cattle in a fold-yard, without turnips, which the 

 farm does not produce, or oil-cake, which is not to be had, 

 but at too great an expence to make the practice general. 

 And in regard to hay, that is likewise too costly an ar- 

 ticle. 



As the farmers in Norfolk, who are undoubtedly among 

 the most respectable in this, or any other country, do not 

 find even this system of converting all their straw into 

 dung sufficient, but are often at great expence for foreign 

 manures, it is proper to enquire, whether their straw be con- 

 verted into manure under a proper plan. 



It is remarked by Mr Curwen,f that under the existing 

 system, the Norfolk farmers maintain their fattening cattle 

 with dry food, the expence of which is so heavy, as to pre- 

 clude many farmers from keeping half the stock neces- 

 sary for converting their straw properly into muck. Cattle 

 fed on hay and oil-cake, never produce the same quan- 



* Middlesex Report, p. 171. 

 f Workington Report, anno 



anno 1812, p. 78. 



